Canute Chandrakumaran - Principle Engineer

A little bit about your background and your role

I am originally from Sri Lanka and spend 8 years before migrating to NZ in the 1990's. I have been working in the Transportation field for over 15 years. In my spare time I enjoy fishing, photography and cooking.

In my current role I am chairing the design review committee, ensuring that all the design elements consider all user requirements, and are consistent across the regions.

How did you get there? Roles that you have had...

Prior to migrating to NZ I was working in India in civil construction (wind farm electricity project). I did my Master of Engineering at University of Canterbury. I then joined a multidisciplinary consultancy firm in Christchurch, working as an engineer in subdivisions and traffic impact assessments. After this role I moved to Auckland and joined Auckland City Council as a traffic engineer where I led a team engineers assessing traffic impacts of new developments. Whilst in the role I took up a part time lecturer role at Unitech. I coached new immigrants who arrived in NZ the standards and practices of engineering in NZ.

From Auckland City Council I then moved to Manukau City Council as a roading engineer and by that time I had completed my professional registration. I then moved to Wellington and joined NZTA as a Senior Engineer in traffic design and safety. I introduced performance based specifications for guard rails. As part of this work, I organised nationwide workshops to up-skill the industry with the help of experts from FHWA. I also worked in integrating road-side safety policy in 2010 national road safety strategy. For this work, I was awarded runner up"Traffic Engineer of the year" from IPENZ.

After working in Wellington, I moved to Singapore as a Senior Safety Engineer where I worked designing and implementing safety programmes. After 6 years working in the role, I decided to move back to NZ, because my daughter missed the school particularly schooling with her cousin. When I was searching for a job, I came across one of my engineering students (when i was a part time lecturer) who put my name forward to an agency, who then put me forward to a role available at Waitakere City Council as a team leader for road maintenance renewals. I was successful in getting the role and later I picked up asset management. The transition of the councils occurred which now leads me to where I am now as Principle Engineer, Investigation and Design, at Auckland Transport.

What are the highlights of your career?

• To become a principle engineer - you need the engineer thinking. The logics, developing your skills to transfer your knowledge into applications. For example in my spare time I code for fun using visual basic.
• Look for ways and means; think ahead how you can make things more interesting and innovative. Think how you can take a step further to promote it.
• Whatever you do it should serve a purpose, Begin with end in mind.
• Integrate design with logic. Look to synergize.
• Manage yourself time wise - work life balance. Have time for your family and work.

What advice would you give those interested in a similar role?

• We are responsible for our own choices and have the freedom to choose. Increase your circle of influence and be proactive.
• There are plenty for everyone (abundance mentality). Look for win-win outcomes.
• The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Work cooperatively and seek synergistic outcomes.
• Seek first to understand then to be understood.

Where would you like to go in your career?

Well, I would like to continue to develop my skills with Auckland Transport, until the time I exhausts my ability to add value to the organisation. However, I also would like to help people. I took up the role as lecturer at that time because I enjoy benefiting others and seeing people get there. I like to see the good in people and bring out their best.

Suzana Sirat - PT Network Planner

A little bit about yourself and your role

I was born in Brunei, was brought up in Malaysia and Oman (for 4 years). I am half Malay from my dad's side and half English from my mum's side. I came to in NZ in September 2005 with the intention of wanting to do my Phd in mechanical engineering and material science just that I was going to be based in Hamilton and the other lab was in Tauranga. Decided to put that idea on hold and look for a job instead.

I use to be a bit of a petrol head when I was younger, I wanted to be an automotive engineer but my mother wouldn't let me as she wanted me to pursue maths and music so the compromise was mechanical engineering. At least I managed to do my industrial placement while at university at Group Lotus and just being able to walk through the factory and watch the Lotus Elise being assembled was a nice sight to see.

In my spare time I have a 3 year old son who keeps me busy. Plus I also enjoy playing squash, baking and travelling.

In my role as PT Network Planner I mainly look after the north area so any projects that involve PT I am involved in. This also involves plan changes and integrated transport assessments. Currently I am also reviewing the Hibiscus Coast bus services. I am also part of team that is looking after the bus lane and transit lane review.

How did you get there? Roles that you have had...

I did my bachelors of mechanical engineering at the University of Reading, England. My first job out of university was as an operations coordinator at an inspection and certification company in the UK. I didn't enjoy this role so after 2 years I quit my job and went back to Malaysia to watch the Formula 1 in Sepang. A month later I was offered a scholarship to do a master's of science (MSc) in Material Science and Engineering at this new university that was in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Just before my visa I got married and then a month after that I came to NZ.

After deciding not to do my phd I started job hunting. My first role was with Transit as the Northern Busway operations project coordinator. I did that role for 14 months and it involved programme management and co-ordination to ensure all protocols, procedures, by-laws, signage and systems were in place so that there was a smooth transition from construction to operations.

I was then pinched by North Shore City Council as they were one of the stakeholders and my role here was at PT advisor. My responsibilities here were to implement passenger transport programs, projects and initiatives within the North Shore. This involved identifying, advocating and planning the introduction of bus priorities. I was also involved in transportation and land use studies.

What are the highlights of your career?

• Industrial placement at Group Lotus while doing my degree
• Obtaining my masters and having a very geeky thesis titled, "The Development of Petroleum Coke as an anode in a Lithium Ion battery"
• I became a Chartered Professional Engineering CPEng last year
• Gaining my PMP certificate
• Being able to see the work that I put in at Transit take form when the Northern Busway was completed and opened in February 2008
• Carried out my own bus priority measures investigation while at NSCC and being able to see some of the projects currently going ahead

What advice would you give those interested in a similar role?

• Be passionate about the role and make sure you have a real interest in it
• You're going to hit a lot of tumbling blocks so be prepared for challenges
• This role involves public consultation, so keep in mind that you are never going to please everyone

Where would you like to go in your career?

I would like to learn as much as I possibly can in my current role and work my way up along the ladder. In the back of my mind I would like to do something more technical and maybe that's when I might consider relooking at the possibility of doing a Phd.

John Davies - Transport Modelling GIS and Monitoring Team Leader

A little bit about yourself and your role

I grew up in South Africa and moved to NZ nine years ago as there was a shortage in jobs in South Africa. In my spare time I enjoy sailing, hockey and general water sports.

As Transport Modelling GIS and Monitoring team leader I look after a team of seven who cover those three functions for AT. We look after passenger transport modelling for the region and local area traffic modelling and micro-simulation. The GIS team supports Auckland Transport mapping and data analysis requirements. We also cover monitoring of traffic and general transport indicators across the region.

How did you get there? Roles that you have had...

I qualified in South Africa as a civil engineer and transportation planner. Initially I worked in construction as a site engineer and then moved into consulting. I consulted in NZ for a couple of years until I joined ARC where I looked after regional transport modelling. After the amalgamation of the local authorities I moved to Auckland Transport to take up my current role.

What are the highlights of your career?

Working on the regional demand models at the ARC, building and maintaining the regional land use and transport demand models.

What advice would you give those interested in a similar role?

• Enjoy what you are doing.
• You need to have a good appreciation of detail.
• Modelling is often a "scientific art" - keep an over view of the big picture.

Where would you like to go in your career?

Win lotto!

Liz Hogan - Infringement Review Manager

A little bit about yourself and your role

I live in Manukau and I am a mother of 2 girls (22 and 10) and a grandmother of 1 (4 year old grandson).I like to play netball and touch and I also coach netball. I have also been involved in the inter-council sports tournament for the past 11 years.

In my current role as the Infringement Review Manager, I manage a unit of 31 people. I have 2 teams of staff that are responsible for responding to customer queries in relation to parking infringements, a team who provide administration support to the Parking and Enforcement Department and a team of prosecutors that deal with any court related parking issues.

How did you get there? Roles that you have had...

I started my career working as a Parking Warden 15 years ago at Manukau City Council. My roles at Manukau have included Team Leader Parking Enforcement/ Street Damage and Vehicle Crossings, Training Officer, Parking Administrator/ Prosecutor. In my last role at Manukau City Council as the Parking Operations and Road Safety Manager I led a team of 35 staff, made up of the Parking Enforcement, Parking Administration/Prosecutions and Road Safety Teams. I was accountability for operational expenditure and managing the balance between revenue generation and legislative enforcement and safety.

My approach to on-going learning has led to the completion of a National Certificate in Parking Enforcement and a Legal Executive Certificate. In addition I am studying towards a B Bus degree. I also encourage my own staff to develop and pursue their own career goals, and this has led to a number of former employees progressing into more senior roles.

The merger of the various council around the Auckland Region, have led me to where I am now as Infringement Review Manager at Auckland Transport.

What are the highlights of your career?

• Since Auckland Transport was formed, my team has reduced the correspondence turnaround time from 90 days to an average of approximately 4 days. This has also led to a reduction in correspondence received on a monthly basis, from 19,000 requests in November to 6,000 requests in May.
• While at Manukau City Council (MCC), I was involved in the successful introduction of IMS (Infringement Management System). This resulted in a more effective and efficient unit by automating processes, streamlining operations and improving the quality of work by reduced operator errors.
• Successfully introduced Pay n Display machines into the CBD of Manukau. This involved reporting to Council with recommendations, and the commissioning of a contractor for supply, installation and maintenance of machines. This was achieved on time while maintaining excellent customer service with minimal disruption.
• Initiated introduction of online credit card payments at MCC. This involved reviewing project status reports, addressing resource issues and escalated project related issues. Reviewing and approving plan variations where these impact major milestones or cost. This resulted in an increase in payment options available to customers and an increase in payments received by Council prior to court lodgement.

What advice would you give those interested in a similar role?

• Take any opportunity that is given and work really hard at it.
• Always do the best that you can and go the extra mile.
• If you are knocked back, try and try again. Never give up.

Where would you like to go in your career?

I would eventually like to be in more senior roles but at the moment I am continuing to develop and enhance my current skill set and always eager to learning new skills.

Stephen Smith - Finance Manager

A little bit about yourself and your role

I was born in Auckland, am married and have 2 sons. One of my sons now lives in the USA and recently got married there. I have worked for the past 42 years mainly in the finance and accounting field. In my spare time I enjoy playing golf and have recently started doing some running after a break for a few years.

In my role as Finance Manager I lead the team providing support and assistance to help them achieve their various roles. I manage a team of 31 people dealing with issues that are not necessarily always directly finance related.

How did you get there? Roles that you have had...

I started my career as a full time assistant accountant and did my studies at night to gain my Chartered Accounting qualification. I changed jobs a number of times in the first few years but moved to Putaruru in 1975 and started with the Winstone group as Forest Accountant. This role led to being appointed as Company Secretary for several Winstone subsidiaries over the next 10 years around NZ. After Winstones I worked in the car industry for 8 years as Finance Director for a car and truck import business across NZ and Australia. At one stage the business was wholesaling 1000 cars a month across 8 brands.

Following that I was appointed financial controller at Carter Holt Harvey (CHH) Kinleith Pulp and Paper Mill in Tokoroa for 4 years followed by a move back to Auckland as GM, Finance of the Wood Products group for 4 years. After CHH I went contracting and was involved in several project roles such as a restructure at Milburn Cement in Christchurch and was Project Manager for the implementation of a new ERP system for Office Max. I then took a break from the accounting field and did corporate sales at Telecom for 3 years followed by my move to local government, initially as a contractor at ARTA. This led onto a full time role where I ran the ARTA Corporate Services team. This role then led me to where I am now as Manager, Finance at Auckland Transport.

What are the highlights of your career?

There are a number as most of my roles were in senior management teams but some are:

• At CHH I finalised all of the legal and finance arrangements for the acquisition of a saw mill in Australia for A$120 million. This proved to be a very successful purchase for CHH.
• The ERP implementation at Office Max was very enjoyable as it was rolled out across 52 NZ sites and 1,000 staff were trained. It was achieved on time, under budget and no customers were impacted.
• I led the team preparing the finance systems, staffing and procedures for the establishment of Auckland Transport. I looked at all the financial aspects - tax, insurance, audits, risks, transition and assets. This was a very challenging time as I also maintained my role as GM, Corporate Support for ARTA as well.
• I owned a business for 4 years during my time at ARTA which I was involved with after hours as it had a full time manager and administrator. I sold it before I started with Auckland Transport.

What advice would you give those interested in a similar role?

• Get a range of job experiences in different industries where you can learn different skills and have various challenges. I seemed to change jobs every 5 years and have thoroughly enjoyed each of my experiences.
• As a career option I like working where I enjoy the environment, where the goals of the organisation are clear and communicated to all staff and I report to someone that I respect and who treats others the way that you would like to be treated.

Where would you like to go in your career?

I would like to own another business in due course.

Grant Benge - IT Business Solutions Manager

A little bit about yourself and your role

I'm a country boy at heart having grown up in the Manawatu, I have lived in several different cities and countries and have now been in Auckland for about six years. I am married with 3 young boys, and in my spare time (which is rare!). I enjoy being out on the water, cycling, and motor racing.

In my role as IT Business Solutions Manager I work closely with business groups to look at how we can utilise and leverage technology to provide innovative and effective solutions to deliver better outcomes for Auckland Transport customers.

How did you get there? Roles that you have had...

After doing Business Studies at Massey University I moved to Wellington where I took a role in commercial property which is what I wanted to do. I enjoyed working in property but soon after I went on my OE to the UK. I spent 5 years working primarily in the UK and Germany. Due to the number of roles in the accounting field I landed a role pretty quickly, albeit at the bottom and quickly progressed up through the ranks with a number of contract roles, becoming Manager of Finance and IT for an international ecommerce company.

At that time I wanted to become a CFO but I didn't want to do my CA qualifications. By this point I had also had exposure to IT that seemed more appealing so started moving in a new direction. Given that I now had Accounting and IT experience at management level there were a number of opportunities for helping other companies and I progressed into managing IT projects on mergers and demergers. These were for large international companies and allowed me to travel extensively around Europe managing teams of people. I then turned down an opportunity to lead a global finance project for ExxonMobil to return to NZ.

When I returned back to Wellington I worked at Shell as a Consultant Project Manager leading a number of significant business projects for them. Our family then decided to move to Auckland and after taking some time out to look after a young family I took a consulting role at Immigration Department. Once that contract finished an opportunity then came up with Auckland City Council as IT Consultant. I did this for two years and was then successful in securing the Manager of Business Process and Systems role which was my role prior to where I am now at Auckland Transport as IT Business Solutions Manager.

What are the highlights of your career?

• Obviously being part of the largest start-up in NZ history with Auckland Transport is a pretty exciting opportunity and unlikely to be repeated any time soon on this scale.
• My role as Manager of Finance and IT, Europe. This was for an international ecommerce wine trading exchange. At the time, nothing like it existed in the world so there were a lot of hurdles and challenges to overcome.
• Probably my third one would be my role as Transition Project Manager, Europe. This role was responsible for leading the merger of the aviation divisions of two global oil companies in seven European countries.

What advice would you give those interested in a similar role?

• You have to have passion and enjoy what you are doing. It's a very dynamic and challenging field that requires a lot of engagement so you need great communication and relationship management skills.
• Having an understanding of the business side of things is also a huge advantage as it enables you to appreciate what drivers they have.
• No two days are the same so if you enjoy routine then it's probably not for you. You need to be adaptable, relish the unknown, and keep an eye on what's happening in the industry.
• You should set some goals and be thinking ahead about what building blocks you need in place to move you forward in your career. Then do it!!!

Where would you like to go in your career?

My next goal is a senior management role such as a CIO (Chief Information Officer) or Head of IT type role. However, given that I have experience in both business and IT I could also pursue options such as Head of Transformation or Head of Corporate Services.

Sharon Hunter - Communications Manager

A little bit about yourself and your role

I was born in Oamaru, and have three kids. I was born extraverted and it's hard to knock the happiness out of me! I like to give 100% in a professional sense and I also like to have fun at the same time. I very much have a work hard have fun along the way approach to work.

In my role I manage internal and external communications, media management, consultation and engagement, the Auckland Transport website and social media. It's a busy little number. One of the key roles I have is to protect the reputation of Auckland Transport. I can deal with up to twelve plus media queries a day. I have a very good team of people and that is very satisfying- creating a good team is very important to achieve good outcomes.

How did you get there? Roles that you have had...

I went straight to university from school, completing a double major degree then a Master Honours degree in English. My first role was working at TVNZ newsroom in Christchurch as a researcher. I also wrote scripts for television programmes such as What Now? I then moved onto working for The Press at Christchurch and for Radio NZ. During this role someone I knew approached me about PR work (which I had no idea what this even was!). I took up a role managing public relations for the South Island for a company and was pretty much completely self-taught. I found I enjoyed it and had a passion for it, so it grew from there.

After working in Christchurch for a while I then moved to Wellington where I worked at the Tourism Board as Senior Communications Advisor. My next role was working at social welfare doing PR for Jenny Shipley where I was working with rape crisis, women's refuge and child/family abuse issues. I found this role a great learning experience, and during this role I got approached by Telecom and felt it was time to move on into the more commercial space.

During my time at Telecom I had 3 roles including Internal Communications Manager, top 100 Corporate Manager and Community Relations Manager. I developed a "Being your best programme" which offered rewards for going that extra mile. It was a highly successful programme which was adopted by other corporates. I was then approached by SkyCity in Auckland but found that it was not the right culture and environment for me. I was then approached again by a woman who had set up a PR company between NZ and Sydney and who had Nokia as one of her clients. While I managed this company, Nokia became number 1 in NZ during that time. After 2 years the women had her baby and decided to rejoin the workforce so I then joined an agency called Generator Bates advertising where I headed up the PR department. Nokia decided to follow me to GeneratorBates which meant a $2 million account out of me. I headed PR for this agency for 2 years but found I didn't like the advertising world; I was the only women in the agency and the only woman in a management position.

I then applied for a role with Vodafone as their Communications Manager in Sydney and the Pacific for an IT project. It involved travelling to Sydney every second week, but it gave me the opportunity to learn about IT projects. Subsequently that project came to an end so I applied for a Senior Communications Advisor role at ARTA. However they found that I wasn't right for the role and that I would be right for their Communications Manager role instead! The transition of the councils to the Super city lead me to where I am now as Communications Manager at Auckland Transport.

What are the highlights of your career?

• The "Being Your Best programme" for Telecom which lifted the culture of the workplace and I had fun doing this along the way.
• Being the spokesperson for ARTA during the Bus strike in 2009. I was coordinating with bus operators, the media, and I had people coming at me left right and centre. It was a hard time that pushed me. I did 50 interviews in one day starting at 6am with radio interviews and I finished at 11pm that night. It really stretched me in a way that I didn't know I could be stretched, but now I know I can do it.
• Running a PR company between Australia and New Zealand and managing it successfully was also a challenge.

What advice would you give those interested in a similar role?

• If you want to be a spokesperson it is best to be one in your 40's. That way you have experience under your belt. My current role is not for the faint hearted. There is adrenaline involved; everything you say has to be written down, even for radio interviews. It is a hard hard role and you have to be thick skinned and always be on. But don't lose your sense of humour.
• "Feet on the ground". Never think you are somebody that you are not. Don't have an ego, have confidence.
• It is a hard hard role, it's not glamorous. You always have to be on but never lose your heart.
• You are always learning, take opportunities. Get out in the community and be a human being.

Where would you like to go in your career?

I would and will go into a more senior management role - Corporate Manager of Communications and PR for a large corporate. I'm also interested in governance and being on boards, so will do some training towards that this year.

Tipa Compain - Iwi Liaison Manager

A little bit about yourself and your role

I was born in Auckland and live locally out West. I am one of 4 boys of Maori descent on my mother's side and on my father's side - a bit of a fruit salad - African, Samoan and French. I am married with 3 kids and I enjoy basketball and all age of Fords. I am very much into taha Maori, having been involved in Iwi / hapu development and leadership within Auckland and the Hauraki regions; I am currently part of a team negotiating our tribal settlement for my hapu of Hauraki, Tamaki and Mahurangi.

In my role I am responsible for developing and maintaining relationships between Auckland Transport and Tangata whenua, they being made up of the Auckland region (Maori) - those who have migrated to Auckland from their tribal areas (Matawaaka), and those who are from here (Mana whenua). I have to understand the legislative obligations our CCO has to Maori, be aware of the treaty relationships Maori seek from Local government, and be available to advise and support internal teams of Auckland Transport on our best practice project management objectives, LGA and Resource Management Act responsibilities to Maori.

This requires me to have an in depth knowledge of the Iwi / hapu of the region, who their leadership is, where they are based, what they desire with respect to their aspiration on Transport and how that might be realised in our plans and project implementation. There are around 22 regional tribal entities across the Auckland region.

How did you get there? Roles that you have had...

I first started my career in local government after a stint at University studying Law and Maori Society. My first role after university was in Maori Health and moved into Local Government joining the Maori Relations team at Auckland Regional Council. My portfolio's there were advising and supporting the Regulatory Services Group and Regional Parks Group to engage with Maori.

With the transitions of the councils I saw an opportunity with this role at Auckland Transport which leads me to where I am now as leading the Key Relationships Team on engagement for Iwi / Maori.

What are the highlights of your career?

• Working with statutory requirements around regional parks - having an input and influence on the plans to manage significant land areas full of Maori history.
• Having an input in establishment in Maori seats and statutory board which is now in place.
• Landing this role on my own and creating new things.
• Working with politicians and senior management on policy management.
• Improving Treaty of Waitangi commitments and understanding in organisations.

What advice would you give those interested in a similar role?

• Try it - it's an exciting and complex role - you will need a good sound knowledge of legal issues, local government process, tikanga and te reo maori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi jurisprudence.
• Have a good understanding of engagement. You must be able to walk and know how to greet in both worlds (corporate and Maori). Or be willing to learn.
• I encourage Maori and non Maori people to look at this role (this role isn't solely for Maori).

Where would you like to go in your career?

I would like to move to a senior management or political role in the future.

Tim Segedin - Traffic Operations Leader South

A little bit about you and your career

Following a great 5 year stint at Auckland University Engineering school which involved a lot of rugby and some class work I joined City Design in Auckland City as a traffic engineer working on a broad range of projects. While at City Design I gained some great industry experience and picked up a Masters degree. At the end of the 3 years I packed my bags for the UK intending on playing a lot more rugby, unfortunately due to injuries my aspirations did not eventuate. Fortunately London did have a lot of cars, buses, pedestrians and cyclists (no particular order) and therefore work for traffic engineers. London is an amazing city, the UK an awesome county and Europe is ok as well which resulted in a planned 2 years extending to an 8 year stint. My wife and I eventually decided to make the move back to New Zealand after having 2 little English daughters.

Why you chose to work at Auckland Transport compared to other offers

On arriving in New Zealand and investigating the job market, the biggest and most exciting thing on the go was Auckland Transport and the Auckland Super City. Having stopped reading the New Zealand Herald years earlier I was totally unaware of what had been going on. The opportunity to be involved in the newly formed Auckland Transport and the merger of the individual councils in the Auckland Region was an amazing opportunity to gain great experience and be part of something that will be a key shaper of the city's future.

What you like about working at Auckland Transport

Auckland Transport has worked hard to recruit a great team of engineers and support staff with a real international flavour which I love after having worked in London. Already I am having the opportunity to have an impact and contribute experience I gained overseas. With the new organisation there is a real desire to look for new ways of doing things and a genuine openness to change. All this combined with a desire that employees have time to have a great home life make it a great place to work. Being back in New Zealand I'm enjoying seeing the sun again as well!

Christina Robertson - Transport Land Use Integration Plans Leader

A little bit about yourself and your role

I was born in Taranaki and moved to Australia with my family when I was 8. We moved to Auckland when I was in the fifth form and we have been here ever since. When it was time to decide what to do after high school I very much relied on my high school's career advisor and she was the one that directed me to planning. She organised a week's work experience at Manukau City Council where I got to go on lots of site visits and photocopy lots of maps and reports. I would have to say that I didn't really have a true understanding or appreciation for what planning is all about until I started working!

My team is made up of four resource management planners. We provide transport land use integration and planning advice to Auckland Transport and Auckland Council, lead Auckland Transport's review and input into changes to the many district plans that currently exist, and assist in the development of key council documents such as the Auckland Plan (the spatial plan), the Unitary Plan (the new regional and district plan for the region) and area spatial planning exercises.

How did you get there? Roles that you have had...

I attended the University of Auckland where I completed my four year Bachelor of Planning degree with First Class Honours. I started working at Auckland City Council afterwards where my first role was in one of the area offices providing planning advice to customers and managing resource consent applications. I then moved within Auckland City Council into district plan policy for six years and then into open space planning and policy work. My last role in Auckland City Council before the disestablishment of the councils was in the Transport Strategy group. I have over 16 years of planning experience in local government and in a range of function areas.

What are the highlights of your career?

• Having had the opportunity to stay within the same organisation but move around in the different local government function areas and meet many new people and learn many new things that has led to where I am today.
• Recognising and being able to appreciate where planning can actually get you, the fact that there are so many areas out there that can benefit from the skills and knowledge that planners have.
• Networking opportunities - building relationships across the local and central government spectrum through the various roles I have held.

What advice would you give those interested in a similar role?

• Get a planning qualification!
• Think about what areas of planning you have an interest in.
• Don't forget that it is okay to change your area of interest as planning is a career where you have skills that you can use in a wide range of areas and disciplines.

Where would you like to go in your career?

I enjoy working in the area of Transport Land Use Integration for which there are lots of opportunities in Auckland Transport (and Auckland Council). I want to be able to continue to show people why such integration is important, why we need to be thinking holistically about our projects and strategic direction. I enjoy team management and want to continue building my skills in this area while also continuing with mentoring opportunities as they arise, all of which help me to continue to be an effective planner for Auckland.

Jason Flay - Parking Enforcement Leader

A little bit about yourself and your role

I grew up in Helensville and it is where I consider home. I lived in Grey Lynn for 4-5 years but have recently moved back to Helensville to save money for a home of my own. I enjoy travelling and like to take extended periods holidaying away. Recent trips include Thailand, Vietnam and various Pacific Islands. This year I am going to London and travelling through Europe on a Contiki for six weeks. My favourite past time at present is fishing and there's nothing quite like diving to ease the mind.

In my role I manage enforcement strategies for the central suburbs, basically the old Auckland City Council geographic area. This includes the Hauraki Gulf Islands. I have three permanent staff on Waiheke Island and five Parking Supervisors each managing a team of parking wardens. The night shift team is one of the five and they work hours from 7pm-3am. As you can imagine they have their own set of challenges. I am also responsible for parking enforcement for all events. The volume of events in Auckland is growing year-to-year and this year the Rugby World Cup is a big focus.

How did you get there? Roles that you have had...

I started my career working as a Parking Officer, I liked the independence. While working in this role I studied for a diploma of business and managed the building of a house. From there I gained experience as the Technical Solutions Advisor where I was handling all infringement information transfers, hardware maintenance and fault fixing. I was then seconded into a role as Contractor Coordinator for three months, towards the end of the three month period I applied for the Parking Supervisor role which I got and worked at that for three years. With the growth in the Parking and Enforcement team there was need for a restructure. Parking management of Auckland City Council was split in two geographic areas, CBD and Suburbs. I then got the role of area manager for the Suburbs. The transition of the councils occurred which lead me to where I am now at Auckland Transport.

What are the highlights of your career?

• Being able to progress from role to role and use the knowledge I have gained in each one to do the next one better.
• Lead a team and get the best out of people.
• See practises and process I initiated make a difference to the user groups and stakeholders.
• The opportunities within Council to progress and develop further.

What advice would you give those interested in a similar role?

• Be the best in your current position.
• Be proactive, stay positive and promote yourself further.
• If you are interested in a particular field, learn more about it - study.

Where would you like to go in your career?

Eventually start up my own business.

Deb Godinet - Manager Property

A little bit about yourself and your role

I am a New Zealander of Samoan descent. I was brought up in Te Atatu North and I am married with 3 children 19, 16 and 13. In 2010 I graduated from the Leadership NZ programme. This was an amazing programme which I would highly recommend. It is focused on growing New Zealand leaders to address the very complex economic, environmental and social and cultural issues in New Zealand. It built on the work I had done at the Darden Leadership course in 2009 a 10 day intensive residential course run by Darden University through Ernst and Young.

Through the LNZ programme I am contributing to the community working with the West Auckland Women's Centre. I was recently appointed to its board and now chair this wonderful not for profit organisation run by a group of dedicated women. The centre provides a range of service to women and through them to their families.

In my role I manage the Property department in Auckland Transport. A good way to look at the department is as an in-house consultancy delivering professional property services across the business areas of AT. If you imagine the life cycle of a property from conception, the very early planning and programming stages of a project, acquisition, design and construction, asset handover, management including facility management and leasing and then the retirement of the asset the property department has a role at each stage. That role is not isolated, it is connected to the other parts of the business who similarly have roles to play at each of those stages so that AT's collective purpose is achieved.

How did you get there? Roles that you have had...

I started my career as a law clerk at the Department of Maori Affairs before moving into private practice and then a full time mum when my second child was born. When my youngest was 3 I decided to go back to university to do a planning degree and when she was 5 I added in a contractor role as in-house lawyer in the Property Department of Auckland City Council. A new role setting up the property development team and the Property Enterprise Board came up when I was about to graduate with the planning degree. It was an interesting role. The opportunity to set up a new initiative where planning outcomes were delivered through development under the governance of an external board interested me.

My last role with ACC was managing the CBD Projects group. This was essentially a strategic implementation group with responsibility to deliver a 10 year strategy to transform Auckland's CBD into a high quality urban environment, premier business location, centre for excellence for educational research and development, and civic and cultural centre. This included some very exciting projects such as shared spaces in Elliot/Darby Streets, Lorne and Fort Streets and the redevelopment of the Aotea Square. The role also worked closely with the CBD Advisory Board.

The transition occurred which leads me to where I am now as Property Manager at Auckland Transport.

What are the highlights of your career?

• My first job at the Department of Maori Affairs as a law clerk was a very important part of my career. The experience taught me about aroha in the workplace.
• The achievement that matters most to me was combining family, work and study and graduating with a first class honours degree in - Masters In Planning Practice with my family beside me (I am banned however from doing any more study!)
• Working at Auckland City Council was a great experience working with a range of very talented and creative people who shared a strong desire to make a difference.

What advice would you give those interested in a similar role?

• Understand where the role fits in terms of what you want out of your career and life, how it advances the skills you want to develop to take you where you want to be in the future. The attraction for me in this role was to part of a new organisation and to create something from its beginnings.

Where would you like to go in your career?

Wherever I can feel that I make a difference.